Hey guys,I did a thread back in '09 about getting a new frig. I'm just now getting to it. A buddy offered to buy my Dometic Americana ($500.oo and it's in great shape) so I can now continue my kitchen renovation. I needed to get the new frig so I could plan it. Sooooooooo........ which one?? I can tell you, I do not have the Dead Presidents for a Summit. I understand they are nice but... I'd like to have one with at least the capability of turning off the defroster. And something around 10 cu.ft. ........ I guess. I'd just like to keep it under 6' tall or so. Depth and width don't matter. Any recommendations??

I would not recommend most of the inexpensive 10 CF fridges out there. I know from experience that most use a lot of energy. Take a look at the Energy Guides and see how many KW they use over a year. My 10 CF fridge used as much power as my new 15 CF Energy Star model and the new one includes the defrost heater in the KW.

If height is the only issue almost no fridge is over about 68" as the standard opening in a home is 69".

I bought a Frigidaire 15 CF Energy Star fridge for about $500. I saw a similar model at Best Buy on the floor a year or so ago. You can get the non-Energy Star version of this fridge for under $400 under several brand names, but it takes a fair bit more electricity. Whirlpool makes a similar fridge, but hard to find and more expensive. GE too, but the GE model is $700+. Frigidaire also makes a 17 CF version of this fridge for about $50 more, but harder to find.

I've never seen a fridge with a switch to turn off the defrost, but they may be out there. You just have to find a fridge with a wiring diagram that you can access the wires to put in a switch. I have no idea if turning off the defrost heater would cause issues. I haven't disabled my defrost heater yet.

Chaz, here's ours, 9cu ft.Whirlpool, paid $100 bucs C-list . We shopped every where for the right size one. looked at the Rv fridges, and that ain't happening on my watch lol! cranked up it'll cool down to almost 32 degrees, with the freezer at 22 degrees, I luv this thing, and would rather spend the high dollars for a RV generator

Must be less on line. My wife and I were looking at the exact same refrigerator this past weekend. Though we were thinking of the black one. It's $359 at the Lowes here in Central Florida. Glad we're not alone in our choice.

Must be less on line. My wife and I were looking at the exact same refrigerator this past weekend. Though we were thinking of the black one. It's $359 at the Lowes here in Central Florida. Glad we're not alone in our choice.

The web site quotes $389 so your local store is less. The one at the store may not be Energy Star though and the one on the web is.

When I was looking for my fridge 18 months ago Lowes only had the non-Energy Star model in the stores, but things may have changed.

Well, my buddy just got my frig so I was going to pull the trigger on the Whirlpool but thought, "eh, let's just look around a little more". This is one I found: http://www.hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=n&ProductID=72069It's got 3 more cu. ft., not too big and is about the same money. Unfortunately, it's not Energy Star. That bites a little bit but then I don't use it all that much! So do any of you know any drawbacks to this one?? Just curious. Either way I go, I would still like to figure out how to put a switch on the defroster circuit like I have heard of others doing. Yeah, I know it voids the warranty but in the one year that you get, I will probably have it plugged in about 2 weeks total. Thanx for the look-see. Chaz

We also have a Whirlpool apartment size like Van's. Has served us well for about 1 1/2 years. My wife wishes we would have had the room for a bigger one. I said I'm not tearing out what I just built! It was sized for our Norcold that took a dump. Got it at Lowe's on sale.

Desi, Maybe IF I had a "WIFE"!!!!!!!!!!! That's why I can play with all the toys I want!!

Paul, The extra size is about the only "plus". And really, that isn't a bad "plus". But you feel the 9cu.ft is adequate, huh??? But would the extra space be worth it?? I"m kinda thinking it would. The only thing I am concerned about is the brands. I kinda gravitate towards Whirlpool but I think Frigidaire is good as well. Dilemmas, dilemmas..... Chaz

My Whirlpool 2 door, Outdide dimentions 24in Wx27D x60H , built in 2005, is now on a kill a watt metter---for 12hrs38min. and has .44kwh And it shows 92watts and 139watts when runnin, do not know what compressor start is. The frig has foam insulation an frostless. Will let it go several days.

We full time, the freezer just isn't big enough for all of the Blue Bell ice cream!

If I can rearrange the bays we might end up getting a small freezer just for that.

NO! NO! Paul. Don't get the small freezer......get the BIG freezer. You are compounding error with that decision. BIGGER IS REALLY BETTER They lied to us.

John

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I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Whirlpool. I tried to find reviews on the Frigidaire but there weren't any. The reviews were mostly favorable on the whirlpool. Plus what you guys said, and only using it occassionally I went for it. Lowes will be delivering early next week, I thnk. Thank you all again for the very helpful insight!! I appreciate it a LOT!!!!!! Chaz

After much ishing back and forth, I chose the NovaKool 9cu/ft refer. Strangely, the split 12vdc/120vac unit was a bit cheaper then the straight 12vdc. Granted, it isn't cheap-but my truck is probably not going to ride as smoothly as a bus (although it does have 4 air bags per axle-or what is referred to 8 air bag suspension in the rear-leaf on the steers). And with a normal household type refer, you have to have an inverter (which I will anyway), but even with a high efficiency apartment type refer like the Summit only pulling 2.5 amps at 120vac, when you invert that and take into account the about 90% efficiency of the inverter, you're actually pulling 28amps running from 12vdc. Compared to the 5 amps running of the Danfoss compressor in the NovaKool. Plus-how do you mount the apartment type from moving around; keep the doors shut; keep the food back on the shelves so everything doesn't fall out when you open the door? The NovaKool has the compressor on the bottom front, so there isn't any rear venting necessary. But-I'm sure that Chaz will figure out how to mount the apartment type refer. Good Luck, TomC

The venting shouldn't be much of an issue as I am wanting to devise some sort of KISS system to keep the warm air in the coach in the winter and vent it out in the summer. Probably getting a little annal here but, it's stuff I like to do.

BTW, they delivered already!!!!!!!! Dang!!!!!! Ya can't b*tch about good service but I was hoping to get it more around Tuesday when they could have helped me put it in!!

Oh, and my "Hats Off" to Jerry Liebler yet again. I had an electrical issue and he spent quite a bit of time with me on the phone this morning getting it solved. The guy is amazing!!! I think he really can see electricity!! Thanx Jerry!

Heading to Louisville this afternoon to a "Get the Led Out" concert with the bus. I know that probably isn't MOST of yours "Cup O' Tea" but to me "best band that ever lived"! Unfortunately, it's just a tribute band. But better than half the fun will be with friends in the coach. At least that is the general consensus. Later......